What Is Palm Sunday — In Biblical Context
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem one week before His resurrection, when crowds waved palm branches and cried 'Hosanna!'
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem one week before His resurrection, when crowds waved palm branches and cried 'Hosanna!'
"And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." — Matthew 21:9 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and remembers the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. The crowds spread their garments and palm branches in His path and shouted, 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord!' Palm branches were symbols of victory and Jewish nationalism, and the crowds welcomed Jesus as the promised Messiah-King. Yet within five days many of the same voices would cry, 'Crucify Him.' Palm Sunday reminds believers of two truths: Jesus is the rightful King who comes in humility, and human praise apart from true faith is fragile. Today many churches distribute palm branches and re-read the triumphal entry on this Sunday.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Matthew 21:9, sits inside Matthew 21. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."
Supporting Passages
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass."
"Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord."
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